Winter rolls around and suddenly everyone becomes an expert at hibernation. Humans drag out the flannelette sheets, complain about getting out of bed and fight over the heater remote. Your pets are no different. Well, apart from the huskies. Those furry maniacs would happily sleep in a snowdrift with a grin on their face.

For the rest of our pets though, winter deserves a bit of extra thought.

Warm Beds Matter

Cold tiles and concrete floors are not ideal sleeping arrangements for pets during winter, especially older animals. A proper bed that lifts them off the ground helps keep body heat in and cold air out.

Orthopaedic beds are brilliant for senior dogs and cats because they cushion sore joints and provide support for stiff hips, elbows and backs. Add a warm blanket and suddenly your pet has a better winter setup than half the people camping at Easter.

Short-haired breeds, smaller dogs and older pets especially appreciate extra warmth. If your dog looks personally offended every time they step outside in winter, a coat is probably a good investment.

Not every pet needs a jumper, though. A Great Dane shivering? Yes. A husky wearing a puffer jacket? Absolutely not. That dog is built for weather conditions that would cancel school in Australia.

Older Pets Feel the Cold More

Winter can be tough on senior pets. Arthritis and joint pain often become more noticeable when temperatures drop. You may notice:

• Slower movement
• Difficulty getting up
• Reluctance to jump or climb stairs
• Stiffness after sleeping
• Less enthusiasm for walks

Cold weather tightens muscles and joints, making ageing pets uncomfortable. Keeping them warm, dry and active helps enormously.

Gentle daily movement is important. Your older dog may not want to run a marathon around the park, but regular walks keep joints moving and muscles working. Think “steady mobility” rather than “Olympic athlete”.

Nutrition for Joints and General Health

Winter is a good time to reassess your pet’s nutrition, particularly for senior animals.

Foods and supplements containing ingredients such as:

• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Glucosamine
• Chondroitin
• Green-lipped mussel

can help support joint health and mobility.

Good quality senior diets are designed with ageing bodies in mind and often include additional joint support. Maintaining a healthy weight is also critical. Extra kilos place extra stress on sore joints, and nobody needs that. Your Labrador may insist they are “starving”, but Labradors would also eat a couch if left unsupervised.

Fresh water remains important during winter too. Pets can become dehydrated even when it’s cold.

Pets Belong Inside

This one is simple.

If your pet is part of the family, they should be inside during the coldest parts of winter.

That does not necessarily mean sleeping under the doona while somehow taking up 94 percent of the bed, but pets should have access to warmth, shelter and comfort.

Leaving pets outside overnight in freezing weather without proper shelter is unfair and unnecessary. Working dogs and farm animals are different because they are bred and managed for those environments, but even they require appropriate shelter from wind, rain and cold.

And yes, huskies are excluded from most winter sympathy conversations. Give them some cool air and they suddenly become the happiest creatures alive.

Watch for Winter Hazards

Winter also brings a few sneaky risks:

• Wet coats can chill pets quickly
• Slippery floors increase injury risk for older pets
• Heaters and fireplaces can burn curious noses and tails
• Reduced activity can lead to weight gain

Dry your pets properly after walks or rain, provide non-slip mats for seniors and make sure heating sources are safe.

Final Thoughts

Winter care for pets is not complicated. Warm bedding, proper nutrition, joint support and keeping them indoors during bitter weather go a long way.

Most pets do not ask for much. A warm place to sleep, decent food, some comfort and being near their people usually makes them happy.

Although if you own a cat, they will still act as though your heated home is barely adequate and your customer service standards are disappointing.